Windows 365 Enterprise
A Cloud PC as a fixed per-user service · managed through Intune like a physical endpoint. Choose your add-ons below to see the feature set of your particular configuration.
As at August 2026 · consistent with the Extended DaaS Feature Matrix
Ihre W365 Enterprise-Konfiguration zusammenstellen
Choose the add-ons that belong to your Windows 365 environment. The puzzle and the module descriptions react live. Windows 365 is deliberately kept simple, so there are fewer add-on variations than with AVD.
The feature set at a glance
Which of the twelve core capabilities of a modern workplace stack does your configuration cover natively — and where are extensions needed? Each puzzle piece shows the maturity.
The twelve modules — what is in, what is missing?
Each module describes one core capability of the workplace stack. The colour shows its current status in your configuration. Select add-ons in the configurator above and you will see here which module improves and why. The content is consistent with the Extended DaaS Feature Matrix.
Endpoint platform (outside the puzzle)
Which device do your people use to connect to the Cloud PC? Windows 365 supports the same range of endpoints as AVD — Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, IGEL OS and Unicon eLux. The architecture is cloud-first and BYOD-friendly, which matters for hybrid work.
Windows App · Microsoft (official client)
The official Microsoft client for AVD and Windows 365, replacing the old Remote Desktop client. Available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, web browsers and IGEL OS. Full protocol support including RDP Shortpath (UDP), Teams optimisation through SlimCore and video playback on the device. Extended in 2026 with RDP Multipath (several network paths) and Fast Reconnect.
IGEL OS · IGEL Technology
A Linux-based thin client operating system, managed centrally through IGEL UMS. Read-only, chain-of-trust boot, preventive security model. Windows 365 runs through the Windows App integrated into IGEL. Ideal for Zero Trust endpoints, reviving old hardware and kiosk scenarios.
Unicon eLux · Unicon GmbH, Karlsruhe
A German Linux-based thin client operating system, managed centrally through Scout Enterprise Management. Recommended by the BSI and widely used in public bodies and the financial sector. Built-in smartcard support, European data sovereignty.
Web-Browser (BYOD) · windows.cloud.microsoft
Windows 365 is reachable through the Windows cloud portal in a browser — with no client installation. Perfect for BYOD scenarios with Mac, iPad or Chromebook. Limited peripheral redirection (USB, smartcard), otherwise full session functionality.
All sensible Windows 365 Enterprise combinations compared
This matrix shows the most common Windows 365 Enterprise setups in the DACH region — each with its maturity, target group and the specific difference from the base setup. Windows 365 is deliberately kept simple, so there are fewer variations than with AVD. For reliable cost calculations, current terms should be obtained directly from Microsoft and the add-on vendors.
| Setup | Modules native | Target group | What changes compared with „Windows 365 Enterprise on its own“ |
|---|---|---|---|
| W365 Enterprise purA pure Cloud PC setup with Intune | 7 / 12 | Standard-Knowledge-Worker, 100% Remote/Hybrid, M365-First | Basis-Referenz. Einfachste Bereitstellung, aber kein Linux, kein Autoscaling, kein Hybrid. |
| W365 + Intune + CAEmpfohlener Compliance-Setup | 7 / 12 | Organisations with a Zero Trust approach, regulated industries | Device Compliance, Conditional Access and configuration profiles all take full effect. Intune is included in Microsoft 365 E3/E5 anyway — no additional cost. |
| W365 + ANCHybrid-Netzwerk-Setup | 8 / 12 | Organisations with an existing on-premises estate (AD, file servers, legacy applications) | VNet-Integration through Azure Network Connection. Cloud PCs can reach on-premises resources via ExpressRoute or VPN. |
| W365 + NerdioEnterprise-Management-Setup | 8 / 12 | Managed service providers, multi-entity groups, large Windows 365 deployments | Cross-Tenant-Management, License Right-Sizing (recommends cheaper editions), backup and restore, bulk provisioning. |
| W365 + AVD-HybridDer empfohlene DACH-Enterprise-Setup | 9 / 12 | Organisations with mixed personas (knowledge workers plus power users) | Der 80/20-Split: Windows 365 for 80% standard users (cost predictability), AVD for 20% power users (multi-session, Linux, GPU-intensive workloads). |
| W365 + ANC + Nerdio + IntuneVoller Enterprise-Stack | 9 / 12 | Large regulated enterprises with Zero Trust and multi-tenancy requirements | Nearly complete coverage — multi-cloud, Linux and autoscaling remain structurally out of reach. Everything else is production-ready. |
Windows 365 Enterprise’s strengths
- Set up in hours rather than days — entirely SaaS-like, no deep Azure knowledge needed
- A fixed price per user including compute, storage and bandwidth — predictable total costs. Note: the price depends on the configuration chosen (cores, memory, storage), and the licence comes on top of the Microsoft 365 plan, which only supplies the prerequisites (Windows Enterprise, Intune, Entra ID P1)
- Native Intune management like a physical endpoint (Autopilot, compliance policies, configuration profiles)
- Watermarking GA via Intune policy, Endpoint Analytics and a DEX score out of the box
- Cloud Apps (Published Apps) seit November 2025 GA — Published-App-Szenarien abgedeckt
- Dedicated Cloud PC hardware: Windows 365 Link (from €419, with no local storage, booting straight into the Cloud PC without a second sign-in) and the NUC 16 for Windows 365 from Q3 2026 — both managed through Intune like any other PC
- Since autumn 2025 external partners can sign in with their own company account (B2B guest access) — though the Cloud PC licence has to be assigned to the guest account explicitly
- GPU editions (Standard, Super, Max) GA since August 2024 for CAD, design and AI workloads
- Ideal for Microsoft 365-first organisations that already have Intune competence
Gaps & what to add
- No autoscaling — every licence always costs the same fixed price (at night and on holiday too)
- No multi-session — every user gets their own VM (higher compute cost)
- No App Attach — applications have to be installed conventionally or delivered through Intune Win32 apps
- Kein On-Premises- oder Multi-Cloud-Deployment (nur Microsoft-gehostet)
- Linux workloads not supported
- No FSLogix and no persistent profile containers across several VMs — structurally so
The assessment in one sentence
Windows 365 Enterprise is the einfachste Produkt-Option in the DaaS market — ideal for Microsoft 365-first organisations with standard knowledge worker profiles. Anyone who needs power users, shift work or multi-cloud combines Windows 365 with AVD, or chooses a different platform outright.
Technical deep dive
The SaaS model among the DaaS platforms: Windows 365 Enterprise is radically simple. The administrator clicks „provision“ in Intune and minutes later has a running Cloud PC. No host pool, no FSLogix, no gold image, no scaling plan. Everything is bundled SaaS-style.
Preismodell als Doppelschneide: The fixed price per user (depending on edition) is predictable but inelastic. With 500 users who work only eight hours a day, you effectively pay for 24. With AVD and Nerdio autoscaling you would consume up to 60% less compute. For full-time knowledge workers the TCO comparison often favours Windows 365; for part-time or shift setups it tends to favour AVD or Windows 365 Flex.
Neue Features 2025/2026: Cloud Apps (published apps) GA since November 2025, GPU editions GA since August 2024, watermarking GA via Intune policy, Flex Cloud Apps in shared mode. Microsoft invests continuously in the Windows 365 line — in particular the convergence with AVD features (application delivery, multi-tenancy, GPU) is narrowing the gap between the two products.
Der Microsoft-typische 80/20-Split: In DACH practice, hybrid setups are common: Windows 365 Enterprise for 80% of knowledge workers (predictable costs, simple management), AVD with Nerdio for 20% of power users (GPU, multi-session, custom scripting). That combination maximises cost efficiency while still meeting complex requirements.
Which Windows 365 Enterprise configuration fits your organisation?
The feature set is one side of the coin — the fit with personas, compliance and the existing IT estate is the other. Compare directly in DaaS Maps, or discuss it on LinkedIn.
Trademarks: Microsoft®, Windows 365®, Azure Virtual Desktop®, Intune® · Nerdio® — and all other product and company names mentioned are registered trademarks of their respective owners and are named here solely for factual comparison, as nominative use.